What is meant by the separation of powers?

The concept of separation of powers is foundational in the structure of many democratic governments, particularly in the United States. It refers to the division of government responsibilities into distinct branches, typically the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. Each branch has its own functions and powers, which are designed to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful and to ensure a system of checks and balances.

This division allows each branch to operate independently while also having the ability to monitor and limit the powers of the others. For instance, the legislative branch makes laws, the executive branch implements those laws, and the judicial branch interprets them. This separation helps protect individual liberties and maintains the rule of law by ensuring that power is not concentrated in a single entity or individual.

The other options do not align with the core principle of the separation of powers. Unification of all branches would negate the checks and balances system designed to prevent tyranny, while delegation of powers to international bodies does not directly pertain to the internal structure of a nation's government. Centralization of government authority contradicts the very essence of separating powers, as it would involve consolidating control rather than dividing it among different branches.